Akingbola closes defence on court order

Former Managing Director of defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc Erastus Akingbola yesterday closed his defence on the order of the court.

Akingbola is on trial for allegedly stealing N47.1 billion from the bank.

A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, presided by Justice Habeeb Abiru held Akingbola accountable to a promise made at the last hearing that he would close his defence, if he failed to produce his witness yesterday.

Justice Abiru ruled that Akingbola should close his defence and file a written address within 14 days.

The ruling followed the inability of the defence team, led by Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), to call more witnesses, despite his undertaking to do so.

Akingbola and his associate, Bayo Dada, were arraigned by the Economic Crimes and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Fagbohungbe informed the court of the inability to produce their witness.

He did not disclose the identity of the witness for what he termed “security reasons”.

Fagbohungbe bemoaned the defence’ predicament in producing more witnesses, who he claimed declined to come for fear of the EFCC.

In addition, he referred the court to the proceedings at the Federal High Court where he said the prosecution was in the habit of harassing their witnesses.

Fagbohungbe urged the court to adjourn to enable him produce the witness, who he said was sick, at the next hearing.

But the prosecuting counsel, Godwin Obla, objected, saying it was a ploy to delay the trial.

Obla said what happened at the Federal High Court was not part of the record of the court at Ikeja and that the EFCC has never asked for singular adjournment since the trial commenced.

He said the allegation by the defence was deliberate to delay the trial and urged the court to discountenance it.

The judge asked the defendant if they have any other witness in court but Fagbohungbe replied that they have a material witness who is indisposed.

The judge thereafter threatened to close the defence’s case if they are not calling another witness.

But the defence maintained its stance that their “material witness” was indisposed.

Justice Abiru ordered that the defence close their case and file their written address within 14 days to which the prosecution must reply in seven days.

The judge thereafter adjourned till November 15 for adoption of written addresses.